The dog still barked. The elk didn’t move either. The barking paralysed it. Lukas smelled blood. I smelled prey. The wind was in the west. I must circle to get into position.

A few hundred metres from the elk I stopped pulled the gun 184strap over my head and held the weapon with both hands. Tiptoed through the forest. The slightest sound would alert the elk. It would run. I walked when the dog barked. When he didn’t I kept still.

Finally I caught sight of them between the trees.

The elk scraped the ground with its hoof. Waved its head from side to side.

Lukas’s teeth glowed white below his stretched gum.

I crept forward slowly. Metre by metre. Tried to take aim but the big animal was still too far away. As likely as not a yearold bull calf.

I moved into a gap between the trees. Rested the gun on a branch.

The elk’s nostrils quivered. Its watchful eyes were opened wide.

I released the safety catch. Pushed the ear protectors into place. Lowered the sight to aim at a point below the chest. Then the animal moved a little. Enough for me to see the swayback curve of its spine. This was a cow. And behind her sheltered a young calf on spindly legs.

Underneath my jacket the sweat was pouring off me. I stood on a branch on purpose and the crack made the animals turn abruptly and run.

The dog ran after them but they would tire him out.

I pressed the button on the side of the tracker and let everyone know what had happened.

Which way are they running the boss asked. Directly westwards I said. Then I dialled in positions until I had found a map showing the shortest distance to the forest cartrack.

The dog would take its time to get back.

I walked quickly through young woodland until I got out on the track. A shot echoed in the forest. And another.

Suddenly the tracker was crackling with voices.

Cow and a calf someone said. Plenty meat lots from these two. 185

Later we all gathered in the cabin for soup with dumplings.

Seems you shoot cows with calves now I said. Not even father would kill a cow with a calf.